Feb. 16, 2007 - Most hospitals use manual techniques for infection surveillance in targeted high-risk areas, but using automated systems would allow organizations to more efficiently monitor their entire facility while also giving staff more time to focus on infection education and prevention, according to a survey of 150 hospital-based infection-control specialists surveyed by the Premier healthcare alliance purchasing network.
Automated hospital infection surveillance technology is in use in only about 13 percent of hospitals, according to the survey. Respondents said timeliness of data is a chief concern for those using manual surveillance methods while automated surveillance systems provide timely, actionable information that allow for quick intervention.
Premier cited estimates that about 100,000 people die each year from hospital-acquired infections, and an additional 2 million acquire infections during their hospital stay. -- Modern Healthcare's "Health IT Strategist (HITS)" newsletter
July 25, 2024 
